Farsley Celtic boss Adam Lakeland wary of threat posed by Hereford

Recent defeats to Kidderminster, Blyth Spartans, Boston United and a 1-1 draw with Gloucester City have seen the West Yorkshire side drop to eighth spot in the league table.

Nevertheless, Adam Lakeland’s side will be heading into tomorrow’s game with some momentum following last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Workington in the FA Trophy.

A second-half Jack Higgins’ header was enough to seal Farsley’s place in the first round of the competition where they will meet Altrincham on December 14.

Lakeland admitted this was a significant victory considering his side have suffered some tough results.

He said: “It’s always important to win when you’ve had a bit of a bad run. It was a tough game and we had to show them the respect they deserved. We’ve conceded quite a few goals recently so it was good to keep a clean sheet.”

Opponents Hereford are in poor form and have gone nine games without a win in all competitions. What’s more, they host a Farsley side which currently boasts the fourth best away record in the league.

Despite this, Lakeland is not underestimating the opposition. He said: “You have to show a club like Hereford respect. They’re a former Football League club, a full time club. I think their poor run of results could work against us as they’ll be determined to improve.”

Despite being one of the smallest clubs in the league, Farsley are currently well in the play-off hunt and find themselves only five points away from third-placed Chester.

Lakeland added: “It would be great to stay in the mix [for the play-offs] but we are focused on our main goal which is to remain in the division. The results haven’t gone our way recently but the performances have been okay and we’ve been giving a good account of ourselves.

“It would be great to remain in the top half of the table for as long as possible but, we have a set amount of points we’d like to win and the quicker we do that the better.

“Once we get there, we can then begin playing with a bit more freedom.”

Elsewhere, Guiseley will be aiming for their eighth win of the season when they travel to Leamington. The Lions are in poor form having picked up just one win from their last seven games in all competitions.

Nevertheless, a victory tomorrow could see the West Yorkshire outfit move as high as seventh in the league table.

Guiseley have a great record against Paul Helleran’s side winning four and drawing two of their last six meetings. However, continuing that run may prove easier said than done with Leamington coming into this game on the back of three straight wins in all competitions.

Meanwhile, bottom-of-the-table Bradford Park Avenue take on promotion chasing Chester at the Deva Stadium.